Super Mario XP is a free fan-made platformer that smashes together two completely different classics: Super Mario Bros. and Castlevania. Japanese developer CnC DarkSide released it back in 2001, and the mashup is exactly as strange and memorable as it sounds, familiar Mario jumping and stomping wrapped in gothic Castlevania atmosphere, complete with whip-like attacks and a noticeably darker tone.
Eight stages await, seven of them capped off with a unique boss fight, before a final boss rush level pits you against everything you’ve beaten so far, back to back. It’s rough around the edges in places, this was a solo hobbyist project after all, but the sheer creative ambition of the crossover has earned it a small, devoted following that’s kept it circulating for over two decades.
Worth knowing up front: this is an unofficial, unlicensed fan project built around Nintendo’s Mario characters, not a Nintendo product. That’s common in the freeware fan-game scene, but understanding the distinction matters before you dive in.
Is Super Mario XP Free?
Yes, Super Mario XP is completely free. CnC DarkSide released it as freeware in 2001, and it’s remained available at no cost ever since through fan preservation communities.
As with any unlicensed fan game built on Nintendo’s characters, it’s worth being upfront that this isn’t an officially sanctioned release. Nintendo has a well-documented history of pursuing takedowns against unofficial Mario fan games. This particular title has circulated freely for over twenty years, but that history isn’t a guarantee against future action. Treat it as preserved freeware fan history rather than an official product.
Gameplay & Features
The controls will feel familiar to anyone who’s played classic Mario: jump on enemies, grab mushrooms, fire projectiles. What changes everything is the Castlevania-inspired combat layered on top. A super jump move, hearts used as ammo for special attacks, and a genuinely gothic visual style give it a tone unlike anything Nintendo ever put out.
Each of the eight stages builds toward its own boss encounter, and once you’ve cleared a stage, its boss becomes selectable from a stage-select screen, letting you revisit fights or hunt for secrets you missed the first time through.
- Eight stages, seven with unique boss encounters plus a final boss rush
- Castlevania-inspired combat mechanics layered onto classic Mario platforming
- A super jump ability and special attacks fueled by collected hearts
- Stage-select access to replay defeated bosses
- A gothic visual and musical style far removed from anything in the official Mario series
The original has also inspired an independent, open-source restoration project called Super Mario XP: Remastered, built by a separate fan developer with updated visuals and new secrets. It’s a different project entirely from the one this page covers, worth a look if you enjoy the original and want to see where the community took it. If you like this kind of fan-made Mario tribute generally, Super Mario Epic 2: Dream Machine and Super Mario 3: Mario Forever are two more worth checking out.
PC System Requirements
This is a small 2001 Windows game, so hardware demands are essentially nonexistent by modern standards.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 98 through XP (Windows 10/11 via compatibility mode) | Windows 10 or 11 |
| Processor | Any period-appropriate CPU | Any modern CPU |
| Memory | 32 MB RAM | 512 MB RAM |
| Graphics | Basic 2D graphics | Any |
| Storage | Under 10 MB | Under 10 MB |
Some players have reported the game won’t run in true fullscreen on Windows 10 or 11 out of the box. Compatibility mode, or a small display tweak in the game’s settings, generally resolves it.
How to Download & Play Super Mario XP for Free
CnC DarkSide’s original site is long gone, so the safest bet today is a trusted preservation archive rather than a random mirror. Our guide to safe free PC game download sites covers more picks in the same spirit.
- Download Super Mario XP free from the Internet Archive, which preserves version 1.21, the latest release.
Unzip the download and run the executable directly. No installer, no account needed. If fullscreen misbehaves on modern Windows, try compatibility mode or check the in-game display settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Super Mario XP free?
Yes, entirely. It’s been freeware since CnC DarkSide released it in 2001, with no cost then and none now.
Is this an official Nintendo game?
No. It’s an unofficial, unlicensed fan game built independently by CnC DarkSide, with no affiliation with Nintendo or Konami, despite drawing inspiration from both Mario and Castlevania.
What’s the difference between this and Super Mario XP: Remastered?
This page covers the original 2001 release by CnC DarkSide. Remastered is a separate, independent restoration project built later by a different fan developer, with its own updated visuals and content.
How many levels does it have?
Eight stages total, seven with their own boss fight, plus a final boss rush level pulling together every boss you’ve beaten.
Does it work on Windows 10 or 11?
Mostly, yes, though some players run into fullscreen display issues. Compatibility mode or adjusting the in-game display settings usually fixes it.
Who made Super Mario XP?
A Japanese hobbyist developer known as CnC DarkSide, who released it independently in 2001.
